No music building groundbreaking in near future

The University's cost estimates for its new music buildings will be updated later this month, two years after it had originally planned to break ground.

The previous estimate of $16 million for the building -- based on what Vice President of Operations John Roberto called 50 percent completed plans -- was completed three years ago.

The building is to go on Professors Row where Zeta Psi currently stands.

According to Roberto, the estimate is being revised to provide a more accurate target for fundraising.

The new estimate is being developed by the Linbeck Construction firm, the same firm that did the previous estimate and is currently working on the renovations to Pearson Laboratory.

Executive Administrative Dean Wayne Bouchard said he expects the partial building design to be available in two to three weeks.

Approximately $14 million has already been raised for construction, according to Senior Director of Development for Arts and Sciences Gary Lowe, an increase of nearly $4 million from a year ago.

Lowe said last spring that Tufts wanted to begin construction on the new music facility this June, contingent upon receipt of $2.5 million more in gifts and pledges.

Roberto also said last spring that the University would need $13 million before it would break ground.

The original deadline for breaking ground passed two years ago.

No building permit has been filed for the music building as of yet, and there are no specific discussions between the University and the city concerning the project, according to Director of Community Relations Barbara Rubel.

The University plans to build the music building where Zeta Psi currently stands, but this may be a problem with the Somerville Historical Preservation Committee (SHPC).

The SHPC opposes any disruption of the character of Professors Row. Zeta Psi was Tufts' first fraternity, and the building was built in 1868 by a Tufts professor.

The University is currently trying to get permission to destroy 20 Professors Row to erect Sophia Gordon Hall. The SHPC is preventing Tufts from obtaining a permit to do so.

Roberto said the formal construction of the music building is "predicated on a resolution with the historical district," concerning 20 Professors Row.

This issue is expected to provide a precedent in terms of the historical denomination of Professors Row.

The music building must be located in the center of campus because of a stipulation by an anonymous donor who gave $4 million to the cause several years ago.

Lowe said that according to the three-year-old estimate, fundraising is approximately $2 million short of current construction costs.

"We are prepared to make the final push, but in order to do that, we need to be able to tell prospective donors what the final cost is," he said. The new estimate will cover the entire cost of the construction.

Once the new estimate is determined, Lowe said University Development will begin searching for additional funds, particularly from those directly related to the Music Department.

"The best donors have a vested interest in the music program. [That] usually means they're an alumnus, someone who gives a high value to the music program, or a parent," Lowe said.

Throughout the process of finding potential donors, University Development has been working closely with the Music Department. "They help us to identify prospective people with a vested interest, and help us make [a] case," Lowe said.

Lowe feels that the best way to quickly complete the fundraising would be a single donor. The "best of fundraising dinners have one plate," he said.

After fundraising, the design will be fully completed and will be released for competitive bidding. Lowe said the timetable of bidding and future construction will be determined by the speed of fundraising.